A survival kit for your car - and you

Stock your vehicle with these must-have items and you'll be ready for most emergencies.

November 6 2009

PETER McKAY

Stock your vehicle with these must-have items and you'll be ready for most emergencies.

The scouting movement's motto is be prepared and it's not a bad catch phrase for a motorist either.

Given the amount of time we spend in our cars � if you motor commute it's likely to be anything up to 15 hours a week � we put surprisingly little thought into the items we keep on board.

Search under many people's seats and you'll come up with little more than a half-used bottle of water and a couple of Paddle Pop sticks.

In the glovebox, you'll be lucky to find a battered street directory and a sticky pen and in the boot a rickety folding chair.

But thinking carefully about car equipment can save you a lot of grief in unexpected circumstances. Like when you're starving and stuck in traffic; or you've darted down a dirt road to look at a view and your tyre blows; or you have an accident.

With this in mind, Drive Life has prepared a list of 20 must-have items for your car. We've put it together with a car that does its share of country and city driving in mind. Perhaps you use your car around town to commute or do the shopping and also do a bit of country driving on holidays. While motoring organisations will get you out of some jams, you can't always count on being in mobile range and it can be faster to DIY.

(We're assuming your car is fitted with a jack. Check the owner's manual if you're unsure where to find it.)

Jumper leads

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Flat batteries happen. It takes only a door left ajar or an interior light switch bumped. All you need to get moving again is another healthy vehicle to sponge off and the leads � one black (-) and one red (+). And remember: positive to positive and negative to, well, you get the drift. Alternatively, you could play good Samaritan and help another stranded adventurer get moving.

First-aid kits

You don't need to extend to a complete mobile pharmacy. St John Ambulance has compact car kits with all the basics, such as bandages and antiseptic, which you can buy online. It also has training courses to prepare you for the kinds of emergencies you could experience as a driver.

Water and food

It makes sense to carry food and water in your car at all times. For city driving it may just be the difference between being comfortable or uncomfortable if you're stuck in traffic, forced to wait a long time for someone or you have a breakdown. In rural areas it could be the difference between life and death. The outback summer is hot, with temperatures as high as 50 degrees, and dehydration is a real danger. Keep at least a couple of litres of water on board even in the city. In terms of food, avoid chocolate if you're heading anywhere warm.

Robust full size spare wheel/tyre

To save money, car companies are increasingly not including a proper spare in the boot. Instead you'll get a space-saver spare that will help you limp in urban areas to the next garage. Do yourself a favour and fit a full-size wheel in the boot, particularly if you're venturing off the bitumen. Check the pressure and give it a bit extra. Air is free but hard to find when you most need it.

Torch

If you're looking for a mechanical problem in the pitch black or changing a wheel/tyre you'll appreciate a little light on the subject. A torch will help you read maps, too. Remember to carry spare batteries in case it is left on and runs down.

Basic tool kit

The basics, including screwdrivers, a shifting spanner and hammer, will come in handy whether you're fiddling with the engine or the cabin interior. A socket set could also be handy if you find yourself in a fix on a quiet road. But if that mysterious lump under the bonnet is a baffling no-go zone, leave the latter items behind and spare yourself the weight.

Face wipes

These come in handy whether you're in the bush or the city. If you're on the go and using your car as a dining room they'll help you clean up afterwards. If you have children, you probably already swear by them. They're also great for cleaning greasy hands and foreheads after a spell in the engine bay. And, of course, when nature calls unexpectedly and a convenience isn't immediately available.

Wire and duct tape

These serve similar stop-gap purposes, so we've lumped them together. The wire will help you do things such as re-attach a wayward exhaust system so you can limp into civilisation for proper repairs.

Duct tape would melt in that situation but does just about everything else, including holding down body panels and bumpers damaged in accidents and sticking wires in place.

WD-40 spray lubricant

Somebody once said that all of life's problems could be solved with two things � duct tape and WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, you need duct tape. And if it doesn't move and it should, you need WD-40. This is great for helping to loosen recalcitrant nuts and bolts.

Notepad and pen

You sometimes need these to write down phone numbers, addresses and names, especially in the case of a car crash.

Sunscreen and hat

Slip, slop and slap. You know the drill. Being baked under glass is never fun and you shouldn't end up looking like a stop light.

Fire extinguisher

Yes, this is extra weight. But a fire could develop from any number of sources, including an electrical fault or after a crash. Just look at the sterling job done recently by NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner Greg Mullins, who hopped out of his car and extinguished another motorist's blazing vehicle. A relatively cheap one-kilogram multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher could prevent a minor concern developing into real disaster.

Blanket

This is another of those items that have different roles at different times. When times are good it's something to picnic on by the side of the river or for a child to sleep under on a long trip. If you break down it will help you through a chilly night.

Towel

Apart from their specific intended use, towels are good for protecting your car seats from your sweaty self or helping stay warm at night. In an emergency you can jam one under a tyre for extra traction in slippery low-grip situations.

Street directory/maps and GPS

GPS is a great tool but if your unit flips out or the signal gets blocked you'll be glad you brought a map. You can save space by using an iPhone or similar with satellite-navigation function. Beware phones with systems that rely on mobile reception.

Vehicle owner's manual

This should always be in your glove-box. It could provide enough information to get you rolling again even if you've never changed a flat tyre before. Alternatively, it could give you something to read if you're stranded and waiting for the NRMA.

Rain-proof jacket

A spray jacket seems a silly item to take when the sun is belting down. But if it's raining and you need to change a tyre or make a dash from car to cover, you'll be thankful you have one. They weigh next to nothing.

Fan belt

In the days of Morris 850s and Holden Kingswoods, every owner had a fan belt in the boot. We don't see this as often now, as modern belt systems are difficult to tackle without the right tools and experience. Carry one particularly if you're driving an older model.

CD's or Mp3 player

Music enhances the driving experience. If you BYO in the city you can avoid annoying FM radio hosts. This is an even bigger life saver in remote areas where without your own tunes you'll be subjected to conversation about sinking water bores and cattle dips and Slim Dusty on high rotation. Select music of the rousing, singalong genre to aid and abet staying awake on those long spells between civilisation and the Black Stump.

Mobile phone

Put a motoring organisation on speed dial along with other emergency numbers. You're not guaranteed of mobile coverage but if you get in a fix authorities might just be able to help you out.